8-ish of us - where to go...

hazyjo

Bit early to book as the cheap flights haven't been released yet (as far as I know), but at least 8 of us are looking to go away for my friend's birthday next August.

I HATE going away in Aug (as do most of us) as it's too damn hot, but I suppose we'll cope if we have aircon and a pool!

Have prob decided on Palma, but I just wondered if anyone could make suggestions to where I might have missed.

We've previously been to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Madrid, Prague and Lisbon (prob missing one). I've been to Budapest and Pisa and Florence so would prob write them off.

Def don't want to go to Turkey or Greece.

We're 40s-60 (but all very young souls - one has a young son who won't be joining us, but the rest of us don't have kids. 7 females, 1 male - possibly 2).

We love eating out, drinking and a bit of sightseeing and shopping. I have Reykjavik at the back of my mind but not sure it'll be for us and expect that'd be a hotel rather than a private rental which we'd prob prefer...

The thought of somewhere like Rome in August fills me with horror but may it wouldn't be as busy/hot/expensive as I'm predicting?

Any ideas? Shall we stick with Palma (maybe staying in Puerto Portals)?

Budget seems to be 'as cheap as possible' - looking for luxury on a budget I suppose which is going to be nigh on impossible in August. Doesn't have to be a traditional 'city break' destination. I went to Nerja last year and loved it which would almost fit the bill I suppose.

Happy to go for 3 or 4 nights.

Thanks!
PS Prob forget Reykjavik - just looked at the temp for Aug and only low - would want somewhere warmer

bagand96

Reykjavik isn't that cheap. I didn't actually find it as expensive as it's reputation, but it's certainly not a cheap destination.

Any of the big Eastern European cities probably meet the bill - Budapest, Krakow etc. That said, the middle of the continent away from sea breezes can be VERY hot in mid summer - as it has been this year.

Valencia? Has a great old town and lovely beaches. Same with Porto - I think Porto is one of the most underrated European cities - although the airlines are increasing services there all the time.

theonlywayisup

Estonia - Tallinn won't be hot but it won't be cold 18ish...you could do a night in Helsinki on the way over/way back to add some variety. Tallinn isn't big but it's got a huge heart. Lovely old town and some wonderful hotels.

Ireland - doesn't need much explanation.

Florence - mid/high 20's mostly towards the end of the month. Amazing food and great shopping.

Croatia - hot but very varied, from the top to the most southern of the Adriatic islands. A huge choice from Zagreb to Split and beyond.

Vienna, Berlin, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica. Depends what you want to do really.

hazyjo

bagand96 wrote: »

Reykjavik isn't that cheap. I didn't actually find it as expensive as it's reputation, but it's certainly not a cheap destination.

Any of the big Eastern European cities probably meet the bill - Budapest, Krakow etc. That said, the middle of the continent away from sea breezes can be VERY hot in mid summer - as it has been this year.

Valencia? Has a great old town and lovely beaches. Same with Porto - I think Porto is one of the most underrated European cities - although the airlines are increasing services there all the time.

Perfect thanks - you added some I'd thought about previously. Valencia would be lovely I'm sure - and have heard good things about Porto this year! Definitely one for the list!

theonlywayisup wrote: »

Estonia - Tallinn won't be hot but it won't be cold 18ish...you could do a night in Helsinki on the way over/way back to add some variety. Tallinn isn't big but it's got a huge heart. Lovely old town and some wonderful hotels.

Ireland - doesn't need much explanation.

Florence - mid/high 20's mostly towards the end of the month. Amazing food and great shopping.

Croatia - hot but very varied, from the top to the most southern of the Adriatic islands. A huge choice from Zagreb to Split and beyond.

Vienna, Berlin, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica. Depends what you want to do really.

Considered Estonia - not entirely written it off, but maybe would want somewhere sunnier. Some of us would be happy sitting by a pool with a cocktail for 4 nights lol. Definitely fancy it for a weekend break with my BF though! Maybe next year...

Ireland - well, the birthday girl and I have visited Belfast, and she stays with a friend sometimes in Cork - but maybe we should add Dublin, etc into the mix, although prob pretty busy in Aug (mind you, where isn't!).

I adored Croatia (went last year) but they've all said it'll be too hot.

Will bear the others in mind - Vienna was on our to do list some time, not sure about Aug though. Will take a look at the others as not ones I'd have thought about really

Cheers all - huge helps and some great ideas!

Jx

IAmWales

We love Palma but some family have just come back and it's packed. It's always going to be busy in peak season but this year more than ever. I've not been to Lisbon but a friend who lives there loves it and doesn't find it overly touristy.

What about France - Carcassone, St Malo or Nantes?

IAmWales

Ireland - well, the birthday girl and I have visited Belfast

Belfast is not in Ireland

I know what you meant but some get very offended by it!

Neil49

Valencia is a great option and a very under rated city. Numerous places to eat and drink, both in the city centre and down on the beach area and a lovely old centre to walk around in the evening. Very good transport system with a train service from underneath the airport right into the city and on out to the beach.

hazyjo

IAmWales wrote: »

We love Palma but some family have just come back and it's packed. It's always going to be busy in peak season but this year more than ever. I've not been to Lisbon but a friend who lives there loves it and doesn't find it overly touristy.

What about France - Carcassone, St Malo or Nantes?

The busy-ness does put me off a bit - the thought of getting on a flight to Palma in August... *shudders*

IAmWales wrote: »

Belfast is not in Ireland

I know what you meant but some get very offended by it!

Oh God I can't believe I even said it lol - my very good friend in Belfast would kill me. I was generalising a bit by saying I'd been 'that way' with the birthday girl - but, yes, totally agree. It's usually me correcting people!

Neil49 wrote: »

Valencia is a great option and a very under rated city. Numerous places to eat and drink, both in the city centre and down on the beach area and a lovely old centre to walk around in the evening. Very good transport system with a train service from underneath the airport right into the city and on out to the beach.

Valencia is coming out pretty much near the top of my list at the mo. Perhaps Seville too? Had forgotten about that - maybe we should include it.

Just off to take a closer look at Valencia

Thanks all!

skint_chick

If it's a beach/city break you want I saw a post on here a couple of weeks ago by someone who went to Poland for a beach holiday - place called Sopot outside of Gdynia - cheap to get to, cheap to eat out and mid 20s in August. Or somewhere around Nantes in France for warm weather and lovely scenery but not too hot.

karcher

hazyjo wrote: »

Valencia is coming out pretty much near the top of my list at the mo. Perhaps Seville too? Had forgotten about that - maybe we should include it.

Just off to take a closer look at Valencia

Thanks all!

Seville will be unbelievably hot in August, I would definitely discount going there or anywhere in Southern inland Spain for that matter.

theonlywayisup

Op, you've had some great ideas but until you are more specific no one can really help.